PA again passes disputed bills amid ruckus

PPP lawmakers override governor's objections; pass varsities law tweak, civil courts amendment bills

KARACHI:

The treassury benches in Sindh Assembly, in a turbulent session on Monday, re-approved the Sindh Universities Amendment Bill 2025 and the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Bill (Revised). Governor Kamran Tessori had refused to sign the controversial laws and returned the bills with notes of objections.

Approving the disapproved bills ignited a powder keg in the house. The opposition members, led by MQM-P, staged a strong protest, tore the copies of the bills and raised slogans of 'black law, rejected, rejected'.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar presented the Sindh Universities Amendment Bill 2025 and the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Bill (Revised) separately for approval in the session chaired by the Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony.

The protesting members surrounded the speaker's dais and chanted slogans against the two laws.

On this occasion, Sharjeel Inam Memon, speaking on one of his points of order, said that the behaviour of the opposition today was condemnable. MQM-P and PTI have joined hands. Now they have an alliance and today's ruckus in the House is the result of the alliance. He said that the uninvited guests in this House should be ashamed. Sharjeel severely criticised the opposition and said that none of the people who protested today even bothered to have read the bill.

In the future, any capable person can be appointed as the Vice Chancellor of a university. The commotion on the part of the opposition was a childish act. The opposition members also walked out of the House after their protest.

During its proceedings, the Sindh Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution to pay homage to the great Sufi saint of Sindh, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. This resolution was presented in the house by PPP member Shazia Singhar. Later, the assembly session was adjourned.

Minister vows to combat drug

Sindh Excise Narcotics Control Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla urged members of the provincial Assembly to identify drug dealers and trafficking dens in their respective constituencies, assuring that action will be taken against them.

Most rehab centres for drug addicts are being run by the Sindh government itself, Chawla said. He expressed these views while answering various written and supplementary questions from members during the Question and Answer Session on the Excise, Narcotics, and Taxation Department in the Sindh Assembly.

Members of the Sindh Assembly expressed concern over the rising incidence of drug abuse in Sindh. Mukesh Chawla challenged the members to identify drug trafficking dens and assured strict action against them.

PTI member Sajjad Soomro said that a rehabilitation centre has been established in Lyari, but drug trafficking dens are operating openly in the area. The Excise Minister invited Soomro to visit Lyari with him to identify the spots where drugs are being sold. Kumar stated that the provincial government will not hesitate to take action against elements involved in drug trafficking.